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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, March 28, 2010
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
March 28, Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Cycle C Readings:
1) Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
2) Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel: Luke 22:14 to 23:56
Over the years I have experienced times of depression. Nothing serious, but there have been days when I was down in the dumps for one reason or another. I also have known people who have battled clinical depression for years. In either instance, or when trouble hits us hard, we often do not know where to turn in our sorrow and loneliness.
As usual, Jesus gives us solid guidance. In his greatest moment of sorrow, when he hung dying on the cross, he turned to the Scriptures and prayed: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
These words from Psalm 22 are part of a rich tradition of written lament in the Bible. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, feelings of great sorrow, longing, confusion and pain are articulated as prayers by the authors of Scripture.
The fact that these emotions are found in the Bible is a great comfort to me. The realization that Jesus too felt the need to cry out in these words gives me a reason to hope.
Palm Sunday is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and experiences. We begin the holy day shouting "Hosanna to the King" and just a few moments later we cry, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
Along the way, Jesus is whipped, misunderstood, abandoned and killed. He experiences the worst the world can throw at him, and he seemingly is beaten. But as we know, death is not the end. Sorrow is not the final emotion. Pain is not the last thing Jesus experiences. These truths are our truths too.
Yes, Jesus felt abandoned on the cross, but he now reigns on high with the Father and the Spirit in ultimate unity. Holy Week reveals to us that though our life may be filled with Palm Sundays and Good Fridays, Easter experiences of healing and resurrection await us as well. Hosanna to the King, Come Lord Jesus!
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever felt abandoned by God or by other people? How does knowing that Jesus experienced the same thing affect your thoughts about this? How can we help people journey from their Good Fridays to the healing of Easter?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Psalm 22:2)
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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